Bihar Elections: BJP-JDU Focus on Caste Shift, Sideline MY Base
As Bihar gears up for the upcoming Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) have unveiled their candidate lists—signaling a strategic shift in their caste calculations. Both parties appear to be aligning their campaigns around Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and upper castes, moving away from the traditional Muslim-Yadav (MY) voter base long held by the RJD.
In Madhepura, JDU has fielded a Vaishya candidate for the first time, replacing the usual Yadav nominee. Similarly, BJP has chosen a Vaishya face in Munger. JDU’s list notably excludes Muslim candidates entirely, pointing toward a narrower caste-focused approach.
The two parties have also embraced political turncoats. BJP has offered tickets to former members of Jan Suraaj, RJD, and Congress. JDU has followed suit, nominating candidates who previously represented BJP, RJD, and LJP factions. These moves suggest that electability is taking precedence over party loyalty or ideological consistency.
Dynastic influence remains strong. JDU’s list includes relatives of former or current MLAs—such as Aditya Kumar and Raveena Kushwaha—highlighting ongoing favoritism within party structures.
Despite public claims of inclusion, women remain underrepresented. Out of JDU’s announced candidates, only four are women. BJP fares slightly better with ten female candidates in its 83-seat list.
Discontent is already surfacing. Former BJP MLA Suresh Sharma has declared he will contest as an independent, while JDU’s Mishrilal Yadav is also considering rebellion.
With NDA’s full list yet to be released, early signs point to an election shaped heavily by caste dynamics, political opportunism, and internal dissent.
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